Angolan Church Urged to Embrace Missionary Role and Youth Engagement After Papal Visit

Angola’s Church urged to deepen youth engagement and social mission after Pope Leo XIV’s visit, highlighting challenges and hope.

Newsroom (01/05/2026 Gaudium Press) The Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Care in the Catholic Archdiocese of Luanda has called for a more missionary and socially engaged Church, particularly in its outreach to young people, following the Apostolic Visit of Pope Leo XIV to Angola from April 18 to 21.

In an interview with ACI Africa, Fr. Adelino Calonda reflected on the significance of the papal visit, describing it as a renewed call for the Church to act with “courage, active presence in the world, and attention to social realities that especially affect young people.”

He said the Pope’s message underscored the urgency for the Church to adopt a more audacious and transformative role in a country facing cultural, ideological, and political challenges. “The core of the Pope’s message was a direct appeal for a missionary Church… to be bold, courageous, and living witnesses of the Risen Christ,” Fr. Calonda stated.

According to the priest, this call is particularly relevant for Angola’s youth, many of whom face barriers to civic participation. He pointed to concerns that attempts at dialogue have sometimes been blocked and youth-led initiatives curtailed, occasionally by security forces. “The repression and blocking of youth initiatives represent one of the major challenges identified by the Pope,” he said, urging authorities to foster genuine spaces for engagement.

Fr. Calonda emphasized that the Church must not remain distant from these realities but instead act as a guide for young people seeking meaning and opportunities to participate in society. He also highlighted Pope Leo XIV’s appeal to political leaders to embrace diversity and avoid suppressing differing views, especially among youth.

The priest described the Church as a critical space of welcome and formation for young people, particularly those facing social, economic, and emotional vulnerability. He warned of the growing influence of alternative religious groups, attributing their rise to poverty, unemployment, and a lack of guidance.

Reflecting on the visit’s key moments, Fr. Calonda identified the youth gathering at Muxima as a standout event, noting the enthusiasm and active participation it drew. He also cited the provision of free transportation to the central Mass at the Kilamba Esplanade as instrumental in ensuring broad and inclusive attendance. “Everyone wanted to be with the Holy Father,” he said, describing widespread and spontaneous mobilization among the faithful.

During his stay, Pope Leo XIV met with pastoral agents at Our Lady of Fátima Parish and engaged with members of civil society after arriving at Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport, where he was received with military honors. Testimonies shared during meetings with clergy and pastoral workers highlighted structural challenges facing the Church, particularly when advocating for the poor—efforts that can at times create tension with local authorities.

Fr. Calonda reiterated the Pope’s call for humility, stressing that the Church’s mission must be rooted in service rather than recognition. He described reconciliation as the central theme of the visit, urging the Church to promote dialogue, unity, and hope while rejecting divisions rooted in past conflicts.

He characterized the Apostolic Visit as a success both spiritually and organizationally. Parish groups, youth movements, and community initiatives were mobilized across Luanda, creating what he described as an atmosphere of celebration and unity. The active participation of children, supported by organized schedules at the Apostolic Nunciature, further reflected the broad engagement of the Church community during the visit.

• Raju Hasmukh with files from ACi Africa

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